There are many free website builders. For a small Indian business — an SMB, MSME or micro business: a shop, home kitchen, salon, clinic or tutor — a few questions decide whether a "free" website actually helps you get customers. Here they are, with AppShakti's answer to each so you can compare it with anything else you are looking at.
We make AppShakti, so we have a side. This guide does not rate other companies' products; it lists what to check, so you can judge any builder yourself. Prices and plans change — always check the builder's own pricing page.
9 things to check before you choose
1. Is it free forever, or a free trial?Why it matters: Some "free" plans end after 14 or 30 days, or switch off features until you pay.
✓ AppShakti: Free forever. The free website is never deleted for not paying.
✓ AppShakti: Free forever. The free website is never deleted for not paying.
2. What web address do you get for free?Why it matters: A short, clear address is easier to share and to remember.
✓ AppShakti: yourname.appshakti.com on the free plan; your own .com / .in on the Business plan.
✓ AppShakti: yourname.appshakti.com on the free plan; your own .com / .in on the Business plan.
3. Are ads or someone else's branding shown on your site?Why it matters: Ads for other businesses on your page distract your customers.
✓ AppShakti: No ads. A small "Made with AppShakti" line in the footer.
✓ AppShakti: No ads. A small "Made with AppShakti" line in the footer.
4. Is there a commission or fee on each order?Why it matters: A per-order fee grows with every sale you make.
✓ AppShakti: 0% commission on every plan. Orders come to your own WhatsApp.
✓ AppShakti: 0% commission on every plan. Orders come to your own WhatsApp.
5. Can you set it up on your phone, without a laptop?Why it matters: Many owners run the whole business from one phone.
✓ AppShakti: Yes: everything happens in a WhatsApp chat. Send "Hi", answer a few questions, add photos.
✓ AppShakti: Yes: everything happens in a WhatsApp chat. Send "Hi", answer a few questions, add photos.
6. Can you set it up in your own language?Why it matters: Typing prices and services is easier in the language you think in.
✓ AppShakti: English, Hinglish, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.
✓ AppShakti: English, Hinglish, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.
7. How do customers reach you?Why it matters: Most Indian customers would rather WhatsApp or call than fill a form.
✓ AppShakti: WhatsApp and Call buttons on every page; orders and bookings arrive on your WhatsApp.
✓ AppShakti: WhatsApp and Call buttons on every page; orders and bookings arrive on your WhatsApp.
8. Can customers pay by UPI?Why it matters: UPI is how most customers pay a local shop.
✓ AppShakti: Online ordering with address and UPI payment, and bookings, on the Business plan (₹399/month or ₹3,999/year).
✓ AppShakti: Online ordering with address and UPI payment, and bookings, on the Business plan (₹399/month or ₹3,999/year).
9. Will your website show on Google?Why it matters: Customers search "near me" and your shop name before they visit.
✓ AppShakti: Every site is a Google-ready page that we submit to Google for you.
✓ AppShakti: Every site is a Google-ready page that we submit to Google for you.
The kinds of website builders
Drag-and-drop design builders✓ Good for: Full control over how every section looks.
⚠ Watch out for: Usually need a laptop and time to design; free plans often show the builder's ads and a branded address.
⚠ Watch out for: Usually need a laptop and time to design; free plans often show the builder's ads and a branded address.
Online store builders✓ Good for: A large catalog with a cart and checkout for buyers across India.
⚠ Watch out for: Check the fee on each order on the free plan, and payment-gateway charges.
⚠ Watch out for: Check the fee on each order on the free plan, and payment-gateway charges.
Free page tools from big tech or design apps✓ Good for: A quick information page or a one-page poster-style site.
⚠ Watch out for: Often no ordering, no payments and limited options for a business.
⚠ Watch out for: Often no ordering, no payments and limited options for a business.
Blogging platforms✓ Good for: Writing articles and building an audience over time.
⚠ Watch out for: A shop needs extra setup (plugins, themes) to take orders.
⚠ Watch out for: A shop needs extra setup (plugins, themes) to take orders.
WhatsApp-first builders (like AppShakti)✓ Good for: Local shops and services whose customers already message them on WhatsApp.
⚠ Watch out for: Less design freedom than a drag-and-drop editor; built for selling, not for blogs or portfolios.
⚠ Watch out for: Less design freedom than a drag-and-drop editor; built for selling, not for blogs or portfolios.
What is a WhatsApp website builder? →
Where AppShakti fits
- Your customers already WhatsApp you, and you want them to see your items and prices before they ask
- You don't have a computer, or you'd rather set up in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu or Kannada
- You don't want to pay a commission on orders
When another kind of builder may suit you better
- You want to design every pixel yourself — a drag-and-drop builder gives more control
- You sell mainly to buyers across India with a large catalog and cart checkout — an online store builder is made for that
- You want to write a blog — a blogging platform suits that
What it costs
Free website — ₹0, foreverYour address, items with prices, WhatsApp + Call buttons, share link + QR, Google-ready page
Business plan — ₹399/month or ₹3,999/yearOnline ordering with UPI, bookings, bulk catalog upload, your own domain, analytics
Real websites made with AppShakti
Tina' Perfection, The Designer Studio, BoutiqueHinjewadi Phase 3 · Your Style, Our Craft
Cookie ChariotKharadi, Pune · Eggless Home Bakery in Kharadi, Pune — Fresh Cakes, Cookies & Custom Bakes
Shyamali's CollectionBaguihati, Kolkata · Weaving Tradition, Draping Elegance! 🥻
Mindfulness_Healing_CoachPimple Saudagar, Pimpri-Chinchwad · From Overthinking to Inner Peace I help women heal emotional pain, anxiety & self-doubt using mindfulness, ene
Saanvi tea primixPune · दोन घोट ताजगी चे
Babul FashionRangia · Best Festive & Fashion Collection।Start in 3 steps
- Send Hi on WhatsApp to 78218 80601.
- Tell the assistant your business name, what you sell and your prices — in your language.
- Add a few photos. Your website is live in about 5 minutes.
Questions
Is there a website builder in India that is really free?Yes. Several builders have a free plan; check whether it is free forever or a trial, whether ads are shown and whether there is a fee on each order. AppShakti's free website is free forever, has no ads and takes 0% commission.
Can I make a business website without a computer?Yes. With AppShakti the whole setup happens on WhatsApp on your phone: send "Hi" to 78218 80601, answer a few questions in your language and add photos. It takes about 5 minutes.
Is there a free website builder with no commission on orders?AppShakti charges 0% commission on every plan; orders and bookings arrive on your own WhatsApp. Whatever builder you choose, check the per-order fee on its free plan.
Can I use my own .com or .in domain?On AppShakti, a custom domain comes with the Business plan. The free plan gives you yourname.appshakti.com.
Which website builder suits an Indian MSME or micro business?One you can set up and update from your phone, in your language, with customers reaching you on WhatsApp and no fee on each order. That is what a WhatsApp website builder like AppShakti is made for; if you need full design control or a large cart-checkout store, a drag-and-drop or online store builder may suit you better.
Will customers find my website on Google?Every AppShakti site is built to be read by Google and submitted to Google. Showing up when people search your shop's name is common; we never promise a position for general searches.
Send "Hi" on WhatsApp — start free